By Joe Rubin

CAMBRIDGE – Their season is over. Entering the week as America East Champs, the field hockey team had high hopes for the NCAA tournament at Harvard’s Jordan Field. However, after beginning with a 1-0 win over Connecticut, Northeastern lost to third-ranked Michigan State 2-1, ending their run in the NCAA.

The Huskies (18-5) were able to hold the Spartans to a 1-1 tie through 100 minutes of play. They never let up during the contest, but lost after two overtimes in a stroke-off competition, 3-2.

“It’s a tough loss for our seniors,” commented NU head coach Cheryl Murtagh. “To see them dominate possession and then to lose like that.”

Dominating both overtimes, the aggressive visitors outshot MSU (23-2) in the first 10-3, and then again in the second 7-1, but none of the attempts were enough to render victory.

“You would like to see the game end because of your passing skills or dribbling skills or a great shot, but a game has got to end,” remarked Murtagh.

MSU struck first on their fourth corner, where Judith Van Haeringen blasted a shot at the Husky goal only to be redirected by a defensive stick into the top of the net. Second was the NU goal by sophomore Liane Dixon, who finished on a deflected shot by fellow sophomore Mari Creatini.

Proud of her team and the season, Murtagh said, “They played incredibly well and as I told them they were the best NU ever had.”

Playing in horrible weather conditions, the Huskies managed to persevere and knockout Connecticut (15-7) 1-0 on Saturday, moving on to the quarterfinals in the NCAA tournament.

Scoring the single goal of the game was Senior Sarah Broderick at 20:03 of the second half. Her tally came off the third corner taken by Creatini.

Up until Broderick’s goal, the game remained an intense contest at 0-0. NU outshot UConn 8-0 in the first half and then continued to play hard, maintaining their lead.